While this information is located in numerous different places we are posting it here so that there is a singular place to have it.
Town of Wallingford Contacts 2014 - 2015.
This information includes all the phone numbers, email addresses, and postal mail information for the Mayor’s office, Town Council, and the Board of Education.
TOWN OF WALLINGFORD, CONNECTICUT
REGULAR TOWN COUNCIL MEETING
Town Council Chambers
TUESDAY
May 27, 2014
6:30 P. M.
AGENDA
1. Opening Prayer – Reverend Margaret Jay, First Congregational Church of Wallingford
2. Pledge of Allegiance and Roll Call
3. Consent Agenda
3a. Consider and Approve Tax Refunds totaling $2,988.06 (#629-632 ) Acct. #1001001-41020 – Tax Collector
3b. Consider and Approve a Transfer in the Amount of $4,000 to Youth Projects Acct # 10040100-58272 from Salaries & Wages Acct # 10040100-51000 -Youth & Social Services
3c. Acceptance of Donation for Youth & Social Services Special Fund Out to Pasture and Appropriation in the Amount of $194 to Donations Acct # 2134002-47152 and to Expenditures Acct # 21340100-58830 – Youth and Social Services
3d. Acceptance of Donation from Super Stop & Shop and Appropriation for FY 2014-2015 in the Amount of $2,500 to Professional Services-Entertainment Acct # 10050050-56746 and to Miscellaneous Revenue Acct # 1009052-47040 – Parks & Recreation
3e. Consider & Approve a Transfer in the Amount of $5,500 to Telephone Acct # 10022050-53000 from Utilities for $3,000 Acct # 10020050-53010 and from Office Expenses & Supplies for $2,000 Acct # 10020050-56100 - Police Department
3f. Acceptance of State Grant and Appropriation in the Amount of $7,141 to State Grants Acct # 100-9051-45122 and to Air Conditioning System Acct # TBD and Transfer of $7,141 to Air Conditioning System Acct # TBD from Gas & Oil Acct # 10020050-53100 - Police Department
3g. Consider and Approve a Transfer of Funds in the Amount of $1,795 to Telephone Acct # 10020150-53000 from Four (4) Various Accounts – Fire Department
3h. Consider and Approve a Transfer of Funds in the Amount of $26,883 to Replacement Pay Acct # 10020150-51500 from Four (4) Various Accounts – Fire Department
3i. Consider and Approve an Appropriation of Funds in the Amount of $1,000 to Revenue- Donations Acct # 215-1001-47010 and to Expenses-Tyler Mill Plantings Acct # Fund 215 TBD – Environmental Planner
3j. Consider and Approve a Transfer of Funds in the Amount of $19,150 to Operations- Underground Lines Expense Acct #924 from Operations-Overhead Lines Expense Acct # 583 – Electric Division
3k. Consider and Approve a Transfer of Funds in the Amount of $61,500 to Seven (7) Various Accounts from Employee Pensions & Benefits Acct # 926 – Electric Division
3l. Consider and Approve a Transfer of Funds in the Amount of $1,000 to Purchased Services- Accounting Acct # 10010400-56724 from Regular Wages Acct # 10010400-51000 - Comptroller
3m. Consider and Approve a Bid Waiver request for Fiscal Year 2014-2015 for Town Clerk - Mayor
3n. Consider and Approve a Bid Waiver request for Fiscal Year 2014-2015 for Board of Education- Mayor
3o. Consider and Approve a Bid Waiver request for Fiscal Year 2014-2015 for Board of Education Food Services- Mayor
3p. Consider and Approve a Bid Waiver request for Fiscal Year 2014-2015 for Animal Control - Mayor
3q. Consider and Approve a Bid Waiver request for Fiscal Year 2014-2015 for Police Department - Mayor
3r. Consider and Approve a Bid Waiver request for Fiscal Year 2014-2015 for Comptroller - Mayor
3s. Consider and Approve a Bid Waiver request for Fiscal Year 2014-2015 for Personnel - Mayor
3t. Consider and Approve a Bid Waiver request for Fiscal Year 2014-2015 for Fire Department- Mayor
3u. Consider and Approve a Bid Waiver request for Fiscal Year 2014-2015 for Water/Sewer Divisions - Mayor
3v. Consider and Approve a Bid Waiver request for Fiscal Year 2014-2015 for Electric Division - Mayor
3w. Consider and Approve a Bid Waiver request for Fiscal Year 2014-2015 for Public Works - Mayor
3x. Consider and Approve a Bid Waiver request for Fiscal Year 2014-2015 for Purchasing - Mayor
3y. Consider and Approve a Bid Waiver request for Fiscal Year 2014-2015 for Generic Hardware Stores- Mayor
3z. Consider and approve the Appointment of Nancy Miller to the Public Celebrations Committee for a two-year term effective immediately and expiring February 1, 2016 - Chairman Vincent Cervoni
3aa. Consider and Approve Authorization for the Director of Public Utilities to Execute Documents related to the possible siting in Wallingford of two additional Gas Turbine Generators by Wallingford Energy II, LLC.
1. Participation Agreement between WED and ISO New England, Inc. (IS ONE) providing for WED to conduct certain studies
2. Appendix 2, Interconnection Feasibility Study Agreement, among WED, ISO NE and Wallingford Energy, setting forth certain assumptions for use in the feasibility study.
3. Appendix Attachment for Project 8244, Interconnection Feasibility Study Agreement between WED and ISO NE, defining the scope of work for WED.
- Public Utilities
3bb. Consider and Approve a Budget Amendment from Retained Earnings $1,910,000 to Purchased Power $3,100,000 Acct #555 and to Sales Residential $820,000 Acct # 440 and to Sales Commercial/Industrial $370,000 Acct # 442 – Electric Division
3cc. Schedule a Public Hearing to be conducted on June 10, 2014 at 6:45 P.M. to be held in connection with Neighborhood Assistance Program – Program Planning
3dd. Approve Minutes of Special Town Council Public Hearing on the Budget Meeting of May 6, 2014
3ee. Approve Minutes of Special Town Council Meeting of May 8, 2014
3ff. Approve Minutes of Regular Town Council Budget Workshop Meeting of May 13, 2014
4. Items Removed from the Consent Agenda
5. PUBLIC QUESTION AND ANSWER PERIOD
6. Discussion and Possible Action on the Board of Education request for potential Appropriation of Funds from 2013-2014 in the Amount of $279,411 – Board of Education
7. Report on 2014 Town Fireworks Celebration - Councilor John Sullivan
8. Consider and Approve an Appropriation Request for Capital Items FY 2012-2013 totaling $959,088 as in the following list:
1. $112,121 Generator Civil Preparedness
2. $ 41,242 CCTV Security System Police Department
3. $ 15,725 Card Key System Police Department
4. $150,000 Living Quarters Addition Fire Department
5. $150,000 Storage Building Fire Department
6. $114,000 Road Side Mower Public Works Department
7. $191,000 Plow Truck w/Accessories Public Works Department
8. $185,000 Loader Public Works Department
- Comptroller
9. Executive Session pursuant to §1-200(6) (D) of the Connecticut General Statutes with respect to the purchase, sale and/or leasing of property – Mayor
TOWN OF WALLINGFORD, CONNECTICUT
Special Town Council Meeting
May 5, 2014
6:30 P.M.
Town Council Chambers
FY 2014 – 2015 BUDGET WORKSHOP
AGENDA
1. Moment of Silence
2. Pledge of Allegiance and Roll Call
3. BUDGET WORKSHOP
PARKS & RECREATION
PUBLIC WORKS
ENGINEERING
CAPITAL & NON-RECURRING
CAPITAL & NON-RECURRING FUND
CAPITAL APPROPRIATIONS RESERVE
SIX-YEAR CAPITAL
BUILDING DEPARTMENT
TOWN OF WALLINGFORD, CONNECTICUT
REGULAR TOWN COUNCIL MEETING
Town Council Chambers
TUESDAY
April 22, 2014
6:30 P. M.
AGENDA
Opening Prayer –Reverend Dean O. Warburton, First Congregational Church of Wallingford
1. Pledge of Allegiance and Roll Call
2. Discussion and Possible Action regarding tentative agreement with Local 424-16, UPSEU (Water Unit) wage re-opener for July 1, 2014 - Personnel
3. Consent Agenda
3a. Consider and Approve Tax Refunds totaling $1,357.49 (#590-#601) Acct. #1001001-41020 – Tax Collector
3b. Consider and Approve Merit Increase - Personnel
3c. Acceptance of Donation from Meriden YMCA for Youth & Social Services STEM Academy Fund and Appropriation in the Amount of $1,000 to Donations Acct # 2264002-47152 and to Expenditures Acct # 22640150-58830 – Youth and Social Services
3d. Acceptance of Donation for Youth & Social Services Special Fund and Appropriation in the Amount of $4,516 to Donations Acct # 2134002-47152 and to Expenditures Acct # 21340100-58830 – Youth and Social Services
3e. Acceptance of Donation from Meriden YMCA for Youth & Social Services STEM Academy Fund and Appropriation in the Amount of $300 to Donations Acct # 2264002-47152 and to Expenditures Acct # 22640150-58830 – Youth and Social Services
3f. Consider and Approve a Transfer of Funds in the Amount of $2,000 to Regular Wages Acct # 10010550-51000 from Contingency Acct # 10019000-58820 – Building Department
3g. Consider and Approve a Transfer in the Amount of $7,542 to Capital-Network Server from Regular Salaries & Wages Acct # 10050050-51000 – Parks & Recreation
3h. Consider and Approve a Transfer of Funds in the Amount of $7,000 to Copier Acct # TBD from Regular Salaries & Wages Acct # 100-12000-51000 -Personnel
3i. Consider and Approve a Transfer of Funds in the Amount of $16,000 to Retirement Sick Leave Acct # 100-12100-51750 from Unemployment Insurance Acct # 10012100- 52970 – Personnel
3j. Consider and Approve Resolution authorizing Mayor William W. Dickinson, Jr. to enter into or amend contractual instruments between the Town of Wallingford and the State of Connecticut Office of Early Childhood for a Child Day Care Program from July 1, 2014 to June 30, 2015 - Mayor
3k. Consider and Approve an Agreement between Wallingford Community Day Care Center, Inc. and the Town of Wallingford, which authorizes the Wallingford Community Day Care Center, Inc. to carry out funding programs as provided in the contract between the Town of Wallingford and the State of Connecticut Office of Early Childhood for July 1, 2014 to June 30, 2015 - Mayor
3l. Consider and Approve a Resolution permitting the Wallingford Community Day Care Center, Inc. to borrow from the Town of Wallingford amounts necessary to meet the Essential operation expenses of said Day Care Center prior to the time its program is approved for funding from the State of Connecticut - Mayor
3m. Set a Public Hearing for May 13, 2014 at 6:30 P.M. to be held in connection with an ordinance entitled:
AN ORDINANCE APPROPRIATING $1,900,000 FOR THE PLANNING, ACQUISITION AND CONSTRUCTION OF VARIOUS MUNICIPAL IMPROVEMENTS 2014-2015 AND AUTHORIZING THE ISSUE OF $1,900,000 BONDS OF THE TOWN TO MEET SAID APPROPRIATION AND PENDING THE ISSUANCE THEREOF THE MAKING OF TEMPORARY BORROWINGS FOR SUCH PURPOSE.
3n. Approve Minutes of Regular Town Council Meeting of April 8, 2014
3o. Approve Minutes of Special Town Council Budget Workshop Meeting of April 9, 2014
3p. Approve Minutes of Special Town Council Budget Workshop Meeting of April 14, 2014
3q. Consider and Approve a Transfer in the Amount of $43,000 to Retirement Sick Leave Acct # 100-12100-51750 from Unemployment Insurance $16,000 Acct # 100-12100- 52970 and from Contingency – General $27,000 Acct # 100-19000-58820 - Personnel
4. Items Removed from the Consent Agenda
5. PUBLIC QUESTION AND ANSWER PERIOD
6. Consider and Approve Bid Waiver request for Utility Services, Inc. for assistance in meeting Northeast Power Coordinating Council (NPCC) mandatory reliability standards – Electric Division
7. Consider and Approve Bid Waiver request for Nutmeg International Trucks, Inc. to utilize their services for any repairs needed between now and June 30, 2014
8. Consider and Approve Resolution authorizing submission of funding application for Simpson Court Rear Public Parking Improvement Project under the Main Street Investment Fund Program and authorizing the Mayor to sign said application and administer the grant and the project - Mayor
9. Consider and Approve Tax Assessment Agreement between CT Wallingford LLC and the Town of Wallingford with respect to hotel property located at 1181 Barnes Road (Winston Hospitality) – Law Department
10. Executive Session pursuant to §1-200(6) (D) of the Connecticut General Statutes with respect to the purchase, sale and/or leasing of property – Mayor
11. Executive Session pursuant to Connecticut General Statutes §1-225(f), §1-200(6)(E) and §1-210(b)(5)(b) and (7) regarding prospective waste management agreement - Mayor
12. Executive Session pursuant to Connecticut General Statutes §1-225(f), and §1-200(6)(B)regarding strategy and negotiations with respect to the pending tax appeal matter of J. Gavin Properties, LLC v. Town of Wallingford – Law Department
13. Motion to Consider and Approve the settlement of the J. Gavin Properties, LLC v. Town of Wallingford as discussed in Executive Session – Law Department
TOWN OF WALLINGFORD, CONNECTICUT
REGULAR TOWN COUNCIL MEETING
Town Council Chambers
TUESDAY
March 25, 2014
6:30 P. M.
AGENDA
1. Opening Prayer – Father Thomas Walsh, Most Holy Trinity Church of Wallingford
2. Pledge of Allegiance and Roll Call
3. Consent Agenda
3a. Consider and Approve Tax Refunds totaling $10,414.55 (#548-#577) Acct. #1001001-41020 – Tax Collector
3b. Acceptance of Donation and Appropriation in the Amount of $851 Youth and Social Services Special Fund-Relay for Life to Donations Acct # 2134002-47152 and to Expenditures Acct # 21340100-58830 – Youth and Social Services
3c. Acceptance and Appropriation in the Amount of $5,000 to Youth and Social Services Special Fund-WECARE to Donations Acct # 2134002-47152 and to Expenditures Acct # 21340100-58830 – Youth and Social Services
3d. Consider and Approve the Re-Appointment of Tara Knapp on March 27, 2014 to the Historic Properties Commission for a term of five years expiring March 27, 2019 – Chairman Vincent Cervoni
3e. Consider and Approve a Transfer of Funds in the Amount of $6,200 to Pumping Plant-Power Production Equipment Acct # 46300323 from Transmission/Collection/Distribution Mains Acct # 4630034 – Sewer Division
3f. Consider and Approve a Transfer of Funds in the Amount of $2,000 to Security Camera & Accessories Acct # TBD from O/T Acct # 100104051400 - Comptroller
3g. Consider and Approve a Transfer of Funds in the Amount of $49,602 to Various Wage Line Items from Contingency-Accrued Expenses Acct # 1001900-58821
- Comptroller
3h. Consider and Approve a Transfer of Funds in the Amount of $3,000 to Fuel Crisis Acct # 10040150-58220 from Contingency-General Purpose Acct # 10019000-58830-20- Mayor
3i. Consider and Approve Fair Housing Resolution endorsing the Town of Wallingford’s commitment to Fair Housing laws – Mayor
3j. Consider and Approve Fair Housing endorsing Regional Performance Incentive Program for Nutmeg high-speed internet access – Public Utilities
3k. Consider and Approve the Reappointment of Members of the Public Celebrations Committee for a two-year term effective immediately and expiring February 1, 2016 – Mayor
3l. Consider and Approve Bid Waiver for Applied Proactive Technologies through June 30, 2014 - – Public Utilities
3m. Consider and Approve utilization of the Qualifications-Based Selection Procedure for a Consultant to Provide Wholesale Power Procurement Management Services to the Electric Division – Public Utilities
3n. Approve Minutes of Regular Town Council Meeting of March 11, 2014
4. Items Removed from the Consent Agenda
5. PUBLIC QUESTION AND ANSWER PERIOD
6. Presentation regarding plans of the Center Street Cemetery Association – President, Peter Gouveia
7. Executive Session pursuant to Connecticut General Statutes §1-225 (f) and §1-210(b)(7) and 1-200(6)(E) to discuss feasibility estimates relating to a new building for the Center Street Cemetery - Mayor
8. Executive Session pursuant to §1-200(6) (D) of the Connecticut General Statutes with respect to the purchase, sale and/or leasing of property – Mayor
9. Executive Session pursuant to §1-225 (f) and §1-200(6)(B) of the Connecticut General Statutes regarding strategy and negotiations with respect to the pending Workers’ Compensation matter of William Coitrone, Board of Education employee – Personnel
10. Executive Session pursuant to §1-225 (f) and §1-200(6)(B) of the Connecticut General Statutes regarding strategy and negotiations with respect to the pending Workers’ Compensation matter of Anthony Lorenti, Board of Education employee – Personnel
11. Motion to consider and approve the settlement of the pending Workers’ Compensation matter of William Coitrone, as discussed in Executive Session - Personnel
12. Motion to consider and approve the settlement of the pending Workers’ Compensation matter of Anthony Lorenti, as discussed in Executive Session - Personnel
TOWN OF WALLINGFORD, CONNECTICUT
REGULAR TOWN COUNCIL MEETING
Town Council Chambers
TUESDAY
February 25, 2014
6:30 P.M.
AGENDA
1. Moment of Silence
2. Pledge of Allegiance and Roll Call
3. Consent Agenda
3a. Consider and Approve Tax Refunds totaling $2,997.24 (#527-#533) Acct. #1001001-41020 – Tax Collector
3b. Acceptance of Donation and Appropriation in the Amount of $80 from Registration Fees for Youth and Social Services Special Fund-STEM ACADEMY to Donations Acct # 2264002-47152 and to Expenditures Acct # 22640150-58830 – Youth and Social Services
3c. Consider and Approve a Resolution authorizing the Mayor to enter into an Agreement with the Connecticut Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection Division, Citizen Corps Funding Program in the Amount of $1,020 and designate Eloise Hazelwood, Director of Health and Wallingford MTC Coordinator as the Administrator of the Program – Health Director
3d. Acceptance of and Appropriation of Funds from Ct Department of Emergency Services for VMRC in the Amount of $1,020 to Citizen Corps Funding Program Acct # TBD by Finance Dept. and to Citizen Corps Funding Program Acct # TBD by Finance Dept. – Health Director
3e. Acceptance from Kidde Corporation of twenty-five (25) smoke detectors with ten-year (10) life batteries valued at $1,474 – Fire Marshal
3f. Consider and Approve an Appropriation in the Amount of $6,826 to Open Space Management Fund Revenue Acct # 2151001-44060 and to Open Space Management Fund Expenses Acct # 21511100-58830-10009 - Environmental Planner
3g. Consider and Approve a Transfer of Funds in the amount of $50,000 to Public Works-Overtime Acct # 10030000-51400 from General Purpose Contingency Acct # 10019000-58520 – Public Works Director
3h. Consider and Approve revisions to Job Description for Working Crew Leader in the Public Works Dept. - Personnel
3i. Consider and Approve a Resolution endorsing a proposal submitted by SCRCOG for a Regional Performance Incentive Program Grant for the Continued Development of Regional GIS Data Services - Mayor
3j. Consider and Approve Town Council Authorization to Execute LCRA between the CTMEEC and the WED – Public Utilities
3k. Consider and Approve Town Council Authorization to Execute the Asset Demarcation Agreement between CL & P and the WED – Public Utilities
3l. Approve Minutes of Special Town Council Meeting of February 4, 2014
3m. Approve Minutes of Regular Town Council Meeting of February 11, 2014
4. Items Removed from the Consent Agenda
5. PUBLIC QUESTION AND ANSWER PERIOD
6. Discussion and Possible Action with respect to Tax Incentive Program for Winston Hospitality, Inc. – Chairman Vincent Cervoni
7. Executive Session pursuant to §1-200(6) (D) of the Connecticut General Statutes with respect to the purchase, sale and/or leasing of property - Mayor
8. Executive Session pursuant to Connecticut General Statutes §1-225 (f) and §1-200(6)(B) regarding strategy and negotiations with respect to pending litigation matter of American Industries, Inc. v. Town of Wallingford – Law Department
9. Discussion and Possible Action regarding the matter of American Industries, Inc, v. Town of Wallingford matter as discussed in Executive Session– Law Department
TOWN OF WALLINGFORD, CONNECTICUT
REGULAR TOWN COUNCIL MEETING
Town Council Chambers
TUESDAY
January 28, 2014
6:30 P.M.
AGENDA
1. Moment of Silence
2. Pledge of Allegiance and Roll Call
3. Consent Agenda
3a. Consider and Approve Tax Refunds totaling $5,362.39 (#477-503) Acct. #1001001-41020 – Tax Collector
3b. Consider and Approve the Appointment of Tom Vitali at to serve as a Regular Member to the Board of Assessment Appeals for a three-year term expiring January 7, 2017– Chairman Vincent Cervoni
3c. Consider and Appointment of Timothy Wall, Samuel Carmody and Joseph DaCunto as Constables for two-year terms which expire January 7, 2016 – Chairman Vincent Cervoni
3d. Consider and Appointment of Chester Miller, Robert Jacques, Sr., Armand Menard and John LeTourneau as Constables for two-year terms which expire January 7, 2016 – Chairman Vincent Cervoni
3e. Consider and Approve the Appointment of James Fitzsimmons at to serve as a Regular Member of Planning and Zoning Commission for a five-year term expiring January 8, 2019- Chairman Vincent Cervoni
3f. Consider and Approve the Appointment of Rocco Matarazzo at to serve as an Alternate to the Planning and Zoning Commission for a three-year term expiring January 8, 2017- Chairman Vincent Cervoni
3g. Consider and Appointment of Joe Rusczek as an Alternate to the Zoning Board of Appeals for a three-year term expiring January 8, 2017 - Chairman Vincent Cervoni
3h. Acceptance of Donation and Appropriation in the Amount of $80 from Registration Fees for Youth and Social Services Special Fund-STEM ACADEMY to Donations Acct # 2264002-47152 and to Expenditures Acct # 2264015058830 – Youth and Social Services
3i. Acceptance of Donation and Appropriation in the Amount of $100 from Quinnipiac Chamber of Commerce for Youth and Social Services Special Fund- Holiday for Giving to Donations Acct # 2134002-47152 and to Expenditures Acct # 21340100-58830 – Youth and Social Services
3j. Acceptance of Donation and Appropriation in the Amount of $120.00 from Registration Fees for Youth and Social Services Special Fund-STEM ACADEMY to Donations Acct # 2264002-47152 and to Expenditures Acct # 2264015058830 – Youth and Social Services
3k. Acceptance of Donation and Appropriation in the Amount of $180.00 from Registration Fees for Youth and Social Services Special Fund-STEM ACADEMY to Donations Acct # 2264002-47152 and to Expenditures Acct # 2264015058830 – Youth and Social Services
3l. Acceptance of Donation and Appropriation in the Amount of $240.00 from Registration Fees for Youth and Social Services Special Fund-STEM ACADEMY to Donations Acct # 2264002-47152 and to Expenditures Acct # 2264015058830 – Youth and Social Services
3m. Consider and Approve an Appropriation of Funds in the Amount of $2,100 to Revenue-Miscellaneous Reimbursement Acct #100- TBD and to Continuing Education & Training Acct #10020100-55700– Animal Control Officer
3n. Consider and Approve a Budget Amendment in the Amount of $18,000 to Transportation Equipment Acct # 43300392 and from Maintenance Structures & Improvements-Treatment Acct # 43100651 for $6,000 and from Meter Expenses Acct # 43100663 for $ $12,000 – Water Division
3o. Consider and Approve acquisition of Property at 237 Pond Hill Road – Water Division
3p. Consider and Approve Amended Memorandum of Agreement with South Central Connecticut Regional Water Authority – Water Division
3q. Approve Minutes of Regular Town Council meeting of January 14, 2014
4. Items Removed from the Consent Agenda
5. PUBLIC QUESTION AND ANSWER PERIOD
6. Conduct a Public Hearing for January 28, 2014 at 6:45 P.M. with regard to an Ordinance entitled Penalties for Violations of Zoning Regulations –Ordinance Committee
7. Consider and Approve Authorizing the Mayor to sign the Consent Order issued by DEEP to provide municipal drinking water to five properties located on South Broad Street - Mayor
8. Consider and Approve Resolution Authorizing the Mayor to apply for the State of Connecticut Potable Water Grant with the Commissioner of DEEP in the Amount of $225,000 and execute all applications, instruments, contracts and documents, and accept payments and do all other things that may be necessary for state grants and loans relating to said grant - Mayor
9. Consider and Approve a Budget Amendment in the Amount of $225,000 to Services Acct # 53300345 and to Contribution in Aid – Water Division
10. Executive Session pursuant to §1-200(6) (D) of the Connecticut General Statutes with respect to the purchase, sale and/or leasing of property - Mayor
WALLINGFORD — The Wallingford Community Women’s Club held the 2013 candidates forum on Tuesday, Oct. 15 in the Town Council Chambers of the Wallingford Town Hall.
Reporters from local newspapers, in addition to students from Sheehan High School, addressed questions to the candidates.
This session was the Town Council Candidate forum PART ONE
WALLINGFORD — The Wallingford Community Women’s Club held the 2013 candidates forum on Tuesday, Oct. 15 in the Town Council Chambers of the Wallingford Town Hall.
Reporters from local newspapers, in addition to students from Sheehan High School, addressed questions to the candidates.
This session was the Town Council Candidate forum PART TWO
The Wednesday October 9, 2013 issue of the Record Journal carried a story titled Councilors spar over meeting agenda.
The article basically outlines the current situation where Town Councilor Nick Economopoulos was denied the opportunity to place an item on the agenda for Tuesday’s Town Council meeting.
The Chairman of the Town Council Robert Parisi and the Vice Chair Vincent Cervoni indicated they would not add the item to the agenda – their reasoning was that nothing new was to be added to the discussion.
If you look at the Town Council rules of procedure at the top of the article the reasons available to decline an item “The Council Chairman can grant exceptions to this rule, depending on the length of a given Town Council agenda.” I read this as a compound reason – Length is the reason for the exception.
Tuesday’s meeting had a normal amount of items and we were wrapped up around 9PM; we’ve had meetings that have gone longer with less items and had other meetings with more items in general.
This goes back to the need for a more transparent local Government. More on that soon.
I will also follow up more on item 4 above as well:
”Public input on individual agenda items will be received during the discussion of the specific item, after members of the Council have had an opportunity to review and discuss the item. Individuals wishing to speak to individual agenda items will be required to address their questions or comments to the Council Chairman and limit his/ her speaking time to a total of three minutes.”
This rule has been specifically and intentionally ignored on a number of occasions and the public was not allowed to speak.
As published in the Record Journal Friday July 12, 2013
By Andrew Ragali
Record-Journal staff
aragali@record-journal.com
(203) 317-2224
Twitter:@AndyRagz
WALLINGFORD — Candidates for mayor, Town Council and Board of Education will be endorsed at party caucuses Wednesday night.
At 7 p.m., the Democratic Town Committee will meet on the second floor of 350 Center St, said committee Chairman Vinnie Avallone. The Republican Town Committee will meet at the same time at Dag Hammarskjold Middle School on Pond Hill Road, said Chairman Bob Prentice.
Six Democrats, including two incumbents — Nick Economopoulos and John Sullivan — have announced that they are running for the council next term, Avallone said. Jason Zandri will give up his council seat to run for mayor. Other council candidates include former councilor and mayoral candidate Vinnie Testa, as well as Debbie Reynolds, Dana Camp and Larry Russo. Avallone said the four current Democrats on the Board of Education will seek endorsement, as will newcomer Patricia Mills.
Mayor William W. Dickinson Jr., a Republican, has announced he will seek re-election. Prentice said Republicans will end up running seven candidates for Town Council. With the exception of Rosemary Rascati, who has announced she will not seek reelection, all the incumbents will run. In addition, former Councilor Ray Rys and current Board of Education member Christine Mansfield will be seeking council seats, Prentice said. The four Republican Board of Education incumbents, minus Mansfield, will seek re-election, he said, adding that the committee is still looking to add two candidates to the Board of Education ticket.
“It’s not official till the caucus is over,” Prentice said.
On the Republican side, a single ballot is normally cast to endorse the entire slate of candidates during the caucus, Prentice said.
Since only six Democrats are seeking council seats, that can happen, on the Democratic side as well, Avallone said. The alternative would be for a nomination and vote for each candidate, he added.
Candidates must file financial registration with the town clerk’s office by 4 p.m. July 29, said Town Clerk Barbara Thompson. This paperwork includes reports on campaign finances. Candidates must file with the office “even if they’re not going to raise money,” Thompson said. If they don’t file in time, they will be subject to a $100 fine, she said.
As of Thursday, Zandri, Dickinson, Camp and Rys have filed paperwork with the office. Zandri is the only candidate to have raised money for his campaign so far.
Zandri has raised $14,335, with $10,107 still unspent. According to paperwork filed with the town clerk’s office, Zandri has spent his campaign money on office supplies. He also spent $200 on three occasions for the services of What’s Next, a political consulting firm based in Wethersfield. Zandri said the firm is developing walking routes so he can efficiently campaign door-to-door, because “you need to knock on the right door,” he said. Zandri also spent $980 in campaign money for the services of The Vinci Group, a Manchester consulting firm that organizes fundraisers, Zandri said, including the July 24 event at Zandri’s Stillwood Inn on South Colony Road. The event will be hosted by local state Reps. Mary Mushinsky and Mary Fritz. Lt Gov. Nancy Wyman will be a special guest at the event, Zandri said.
“It’s generating a lot of interest at the state level, too,” Avallone said of Zandri’s campaign. “There’s a lot of energy.”
Zandri said he has already begun his door-to-door campaigning. Support so far has been positive, he said, with the only negative being that people are upset he won’t be a town councilor anymore.
Dickinson said he will look to begin fundraising in the coming weeks.
“It’s putting the plans together,” he said. “I can’t do a lot of door-to-door, but I try to do some.”
A lot of the work is behind the scenes putting literature and mailings together.
“That’s what most of the campaign money goes into,” he said, adding that there is a lot of assistance from the Republican Town Committee, as well as non-committee members in town.
Prentice said Dickinson’s run for mayor is “usually a pretty simple campaign.”
“He never takes any credit for anything, he said. “That’s what kills me.”
Both mayoral candidates said they support their parties’ Town Council and Board of Education candidates, and view them as teammates in the race for mayor.
Thompson said Prentice and Avallone must file their certificate of endorsement with her office by July 24. This paperwork officially lists whom each party endorses. Throughout the state, all candidates for election must be endorsed between July 16 and July 23.
As published online at MyRecordJournal.com Thursday, July 11, 2013 11:07 pm
By Andrew Ragali
Record-Journal staff
aragali@record-journal.com
(203) 317-2224
Twitter:@AndyRagz
WALLINGFORD — Gov. Dannel P. Malloy announced Thursday that 14 municipalities across the state were awarded a share of the $5 million Main Street Investment Fund. Wallingford, seeking $500,000 from the fund to renovate the Simpson Court parking lot near the intersection of Center and North Main streets, was left off the list.
“We knew it was a competitive grant,” Mayor William W. Dickinson Jr. said after learning the town will not receive the money. “Everyone was not guaranteed money, and I guess quite a few towns did apply. That’s the nature of the process.”
In all, 64 towns submitted projects worth a total of $26 million to the program, but the state only authorized spending $5 million. Not making the cut is “disappointing,” Dickinson said, “but certainly our concerns about the downtown and the needs for improvement here as well as the other facets and locations in town will continue.”
Dimple Desai, community development coordinator for the state’s Office of Policy and Management, said it was “the nature of the application” sent in by Wallingford that prompted the denial. Desai said the application was for maintenance and upkeep of the parking lot. But according to state statute, Desai said, any renovations that are solely the result of a lack of ordinary maintenance can’t be funded by the Main Street Investment Fund.
“It has to be maintained,” Desai said. “This should have been part of ordinary maintenance.”
Desai said a letter penned by three town councilors discrediting the town’s application for the grant had nothing to do with the denial.
“No, those letters were submitted after the application deadline,” Desai said. “Any documentation after the deadline will not be considered.
“To be fair to all, once the deadline was done, that was it,” he said.
Republican Councilor Craig Fishbein joined Democrats Jason Zandri and Nicholas Economopoulos in sending the Nov. 1 letter to the OPM. The town applied for the grant in late September.
“Components of the application do not appear to comply with the grant specifications and should be taken into consideration when reviewing the town’s application,” Fishbein wrote.
After learning why the state denied the town’s application, Zandri said, “That was a lot of the argument we made originally in the letter. ... Craig indicated that.”
Fishbein, in his letter, argued that elements of the Simpson Court project, such as repaving, restriping and new drainage, amount to normal maintenance and should be excluded.
A plan to renovate the parking lot backed by Dickinson, a Republican, and others was defeated in a 2011 referendum. That plan was similar to the one stalled by Thursday’s announcement from the state, but would have been funded through money the municipal Electric Division transfers to the town for capital projects, rather than from a state grant.
In past months, councilors have indicated their concern over the letter sent by Zandri, Fishbein and Economopoulos. In early June, Democrat John Sullivan said, regarding the letter, “I can’t help but feel it’s damaging” to the town’s chances of receiving grant money for the project. In January, Republican Councilor John LeTourneau, a supporter of the grant application, said the councilors are entitled to their opinions but felt the letter was misleading. Councilors found out about the letter in late January. Fishbein said he never intended for the letter, written in October, to be kept private and believed fellow councilors were aware of it when it was sent. But most councilors said they weren’t aware of the letter until the end of January.
“You have to assume it’s not helpful if there’s controversy over a project,” Dickinson said Thursday.
“I stand by my decision to sign that letter,” said Zandri, who is opposing Dickinson in the upcoming mayoral race.
“I had a good feeling about it, but I had no special reason to feel that way,” Town Council Chairman Bob Parisi, a Republican, said of the town’s chances of getting the grant. “The project was needed, well thought-out and well planned. I couldn’t see any reason why we wouldn’t be selected.”
In regard to what happens with the parking lot next, Parisi said, “I think we need to have a chat with the mayor.”
“I’m very disappointed,” LeTourneau said. “If it’s something we should be maintaining, they’re telling us we didn’t maintain it properly. That’s really not good, to lose a grant because we didn’t do what we were supposed to be doing.”
“It’s unfortunate,” Fishbein said, “but certainly I wouldn’t be pointing at the letter. I think the people have spoken through referendum.”
The future of the property may now come down to litigation, in LeTourneau’s opinion.
“It’s not going to go down a good road,” he said. “It’s all going to end up in litigation. That’s the long and short of it.”
“Could it end up in litigation?” Zandri asked. “Absolutely.”
Through a contractual agreement with business owners, upkeep of the lot was the town’s responsibility, Zandri said. “And it’s questionable if that work was done.”
“I don’t know,” said Dickinson when asked if litigation was possible. “Clearly the private property owners there have options that they can pursue.”
From here on out, Dickinson said, the town will have to wait and see what the next step is for the parking lot.
“If everybody can’t sit down and can’t negotiate some peaceful means of repairing the parking lot,” LeTourneau said, “well, then a judge is going to decide.”
With all the discussion recently regarding the location choice for the new Wallingford railroad station as part of the state Department of Transportation’s $650 million New Haven-Hartford-Springfield commuter rail project I wanted to post that segment of the June 12, 2012 meeting.
That agenda item (number 11 for that night) Discussion and Possible Action to Adopt the endorsement of the Town’s recommendation for a new rail station location – Engineering was discussed for about an hour and ten minutes or so and the entire segment is below.
I was not in attendance for that meeting (I was away for a technical conference for work that week and it was the first of two absences I have had on the Council in total since my term began in 2012; the other was for a vacation with my kids).
It’s a long segment to watch but given the desire to get all of the information on the subject from that meeting it is a “must see” as it ties into the most recent Council meeting (as written up and reported by the Record Journal).
As published in the Record Journal Sunday June 2, 2013
By Andrew Ragali
Record-Journal staff
aragali@record-journal.com
(203) 317-2224
Twitter:@AndyRagz
WALLINGFORD - The youths of the country believe in having everything at their fingertips, said John Bernick, who is managing the state Department of Transportation’s $650 million New Haven-Hartford-Springfield commuter rail project.
“The generation coming in now doesn’t necessarily want to be tied to a car,” said Bernick, a Wallingford resident. “They want to come out from their front door and have everything at their fingertips.”
That’s the point of the commuter rail project, and the reason why a new railroad station is being built in Wallingford, he said. “That’s transit oriented development.”
With the construction of a new station and the addition of a commuter rail line, there is potential for development and growth in the lower portion of downtown Wallingford, Bernick said.
“Depending on what the usage is with the rail, anything’s possible,” Mayor William W. Dickinson Jr. said of the development potential around the new station, to be located at the intersection of North Cherry and Parker streets. “This is what has created a lot of the discussion and planning concerning incentive housing zone.”
The proposed housing zone will create favorable zoning regulations for developers in the downtown area, including along portions of North Colony and North Cherry streets. It has yet to be adopted by the town.
“We probably wouldn’t be having those discussions regarding the housing zone except for the rail potential,” Dickinson said.
Construction of the new station will begin at this time next year, Bernick said. The station will be the equivalent of three stories tall with 500-foot platforms on each side of the double tracks, he said. The main station will be located along North Cherry Street, and a smaller kiosk-like enclosure will be located on the opposite platform, according to designs. A glass-paned pedestrian bridge will span the tracks, connecting the platforms.
Bernick said two parking lots will provide about 220 spaces. Parking will be plentiful for the 17 round trips planned when the station is finished in 2016, Bernick said, because the lots were designed to handle the eventuality of 25 round trips when the rail is complete years later. The smaller of the two parking lots will be at the corner of North Cherry and Parker streets, while the larger parking lot will be built at what is now Cerrito’s Auto Sales, at 180 N. Colony St.
Bernick said last week that the location of Wallingford’s new station is “set in stone.”
The location
That the station site is “set in stone” didn’t stop its neighbors and town councilors from voicing their displeasure about its location and design plans during a public input session last Tuesday.
About 10 state DOT employees, including Bernick, attended the session and presented updated design plans. Most of the outcry came from residents of North Cherry Street. Concerns were mostly about traffic and security, though complaints about lighting and the type of shrubbery that will be used as a natural fence were also voiced.
“It’s just the nature,” Bernick said of residential complaints. “It’s important we understand clearly what their concerns and priorities are.”
On Tuesday, Bernick told concerned residents that he was open to personal meetings on site so that he could better explain designs. “I’m sensitive that this thing is landing in their front yard,” he said.
Town Councilor Jason Zandri said Friday that he’s worried about the new station being located in a residential area.
“I think they’ve underestimated the amount of road space they need,” he said, referring to traffic issues brought up during the Tuesday meeting.
The state DOT will look to acquire land to create easements and potentially widen roads, Bernick said. The only property that will be purchased as a whole is Cerrito’s Auto Sales. If those with property necessary to the project aren’t willing sellers, residents were notified Tuesday that eminent domain will be used. Bernick said the owner of Cerrito’s Auto Sales “isn’t a willing seller.”
The crux of traffic concerns came in regard to a commuter bus. According to current designs, a commuter bus will run down North Cherry Street and into the parking lot next to the station. Town Engineer John Thompson said North Cherry Street is narrow, and heading north, there is a bad sight line when turning left on Parker Street. A house on the corner blocks the sight line, Thompson said.
“It’s a tight intersection from a geometric standpoint,” Thompson said. “I’ve been very sensitive to these things.”
A traffic study performed by the state will help address some of these issues, Thompson said. He said he speaks regularly with Police Chief Douglas Dortenzio about traffic issues to make sure “what is proposed meets with our needs.”
Thompson also said that it’s not certain a bus will travel down North Cherry Street. The bus, he said, is a part of the design he supports to create a transportation hub.
Bernick said the original plan was for a bus pull-up on Old Colony Street to loop in and out of the station, but he was then asked by the town to add the stop on North Cherry Street.
“We can just do away with that,” Bernick said.
Town Councilor John Sullivan said “the first concerns I have are towards the residents in the area. The second concern is certainly safety. It seems to me they’re not committed to having someone on patrol down there. They’re going to use cameras rather than a person.”
Town Councilor Craig Fishbein said that the project’s design to dim lights at night and provide shrubbery to block the view into parking lots creates “a darkened roadway that is just calling for crime.”
Bernick said only the town of Westport has any form of security provided by the state or Amtrak, patrolling day and night. “Anywhere else, there’s no cop,” he said.
The station is designed for routine patrol, so police cruisers can easily drive through and see if the station is safe, Bernick said. That’s why, he said, the station is designed with plenty of glass paneling.
“You want to be able to see what you’re walking into before you get into it,” he said.
Cameras will be installed to watch for trouble, such as vandalism. Bernick said video will help give police a chance to catch perpetrators. Town councilors Tuesday night complained that they do not want to have to rely on the already short-staffed Wallingford Police Department to provide constant security in the area. Bernick said that in Meriden and Waterbury, police cruisers will be equipped with video feeds from cameras in their train stations. Bernick said emergency phones will be installed in the parking lots and station in Wallingford.
“There’s so much that I disagree with this,” Town Councilor John LeTourneau said of the new station. “This is going to be an absolute nightmare. Anyone who lives in that area will tell you, they’re so off-base on this, it’s really unbelievable.”
“The location is not the end of the world,” Town Councilor Tom Laffin said Friday. “The way they’re doing it is wrong.”
Fishbein said that he’s been against the rail project from its very beginning. Bernick told Fishbein Tuesday that between 250 and 300 people will board the train from Wallingford per day. With 17 round trips, Fishbein said that’s only about 10 people from Wallingford on every train.
“I see it to be an ultimate waste of our tax dollars,” Fishbein said.
The decision
While a majority of town councilors voiced their concern over the location of the new station Tuesday night, on June 12, 2012, the same council voted 5-2 to approve the location.
Zandri and Town Councilor Rosemary Rascati were absent from the meeting. LeTourneau and Sullivan cast the dissenting votes.
Several councilors were upset Tuesday night when Bernick said that it was the Town Council’s choice to build the station where it’s currently slated. “For them to say they really didn’t vote on this, I was troubled by that,” Thompson said of the council. That night in June, Thompson said, he made a three-hour presentation on two options: either the North Cherry Street location, or an alternate originally proposed by LeTourneau at Judd Square.
Thompson said he went through the issues for both locations. A working group formed by the mayor — including the fire and police chiefs and employees from the planning and zoning and engineering departments — felt that the Judd Square location presented safety issues, Thompson said. The main issue, he said, was that because the location was in an area of congestion, there could be problems with emergency vehicles. Due to design standards, gates at crossings would remain lowered for a longer period of time if the train station were built at Judd Square. This brought about concerns for fire and police personnel trying to respond to emergencies, Thompson said. Also, the Cerrito’s site offers more parking, so a parking garage isn’t required, and half the land to be developed for the station on North Cherry Street is already owned by Amtrak.
“We did present both options,” Bernick said.
Thompson said that if Judd Square were the council’s preference, the state DOT “would have gone with that.”
“No, I don’t believe that,” Zandri said. Sullivan also didn’t agree; nor did Fishbein, Le-Tourneau and Laffin.
Laffin said that all seven councilors attending last June’s meeting have the same memory of what happened: that no matter the vote, it was only a suggestion the state DOT would take into consideration.
“No matter what we voted, it wouldn’t have made that much of a difference,” LeTourneau said. “At the end, they would have gotten what they wanted.”
“The state asked for our suggestion,” Dickinson said. “Technically, the town did suggest the site. Ultimately, the state had to decide where it has to go.
“I suppose the council could have gone another direction ... I understand there’s desires for different locations for different reasons,” he said.
While Thompson said no location is perfect, the properties around the new station will eventually be some of the most valuable in Wallingford.
Bernick said last week that he could envision street-front properties being built near the station on Old Colony Street, possibly creating “another Main Street.”
“It’s a monster,” Bernick said of the project. “It’s going to feel good when it goes into service.”
Courtesy of Connecticut Department of Transportation
Site plan shows new railroad station, parking lots, and existing structures in Wallingford.
Courtesy of Connecticut Department of Transportation
Artist’s rendering shows the North Cherry Street side of the proposed railroad station in Wallingford.
Photos by Christopher Zajac courtesy of the Record-Journal
As published in the Record Journal Wednesday May 29, 2013
By Andrew Ragali
Record-Journal staff
aragali@record-journal.com
(203) 317-2224
Twitter:@AndyRagz
WALLINGFORD — During a public information session Tuesday night, residents and town councilors showed displeasure with plans for a new train station proposed by the state Department of Transportation.
As part of Tuesday’s Town Council meeting, John Bernick, project manager for the New Haven-Hartford-Springfield commuter rail, presented designs for the new station, which will be near the corner of Parker and North Colony streets, about a half mile away from its current location between Hall Avenue and Quinnipiac Street.
“I’m not really agreeable to the location,” Town Councilor John Sullivan said. “I like the design of the station.”
Six residents of North Cherry Street, adjacent to the proposed station, and some residents of the surrounding area told the eight state officials present Tuesday that oppose the location.
Those who spoke said they were concerned about traffic issues on North Cherry Street. Commuter buses will shuttle rail users to and from parking lots. Residents said they felt the buses would struggle to navigate the narrow street.
They also expressed concern over lighting from the station. Plans call for the widening of a portion of North Cherry Street, as well as the planting of mature trees to help mitigate lighting issues for residents. Plans also call for the purchase of several properties in the area, including one that currently houses a business. Residents were told that properties can be taken by eminent domain.
Bernick told concerned residents that he was willing to schedule personal meetings.
“I know they probably won’t sleep soundly tonight with all this new information, but at least it’s information they have,” Sullivan said.
Construction of the three-story station will begin early next year, Bernick said. The design calls for two parking lots with about 220 parking spots. Also, a 500-foot platform will be built, as well as a pedestrian walkway to cross the tracks.
Service will launch in late 2016, with 45 minute peak-hour and hourly midday service between New Haven and Springfield, Mass. The railway will provide 17 round trips daily, with the potential for 25 round trips in the near future, Bernick said. Estimates show, Bernick said, that 250 to 300 Wallingford residents will ride the commuter trains daily.
“This is the worst place for this,” Town Councilor John LeTourneau said. “This is a mistake for Wallingford that will affect us for the next 50 to 100 years. It’s a mistake.”
“I think the train concept is a boon to the town,” Town Councilor Jason Zandri said, adding that he, too, has concerns with the stations location. “I probably would have liked to see this farther down in Judd Square.”
A station at Judd Square was one of the alternate proposals brought before the town, Bernick said, adding that it had been a decision of the Town Council to build a station at the new location.
Councilor Craig Fishbein took offense to the statement by Bernick, arguing that “we were not presented with Judd Square” the last time town councilors met with DOT officials about the project.
Bernick disagreed, and said both site plans were presented. Fishbein said he would give Bernick the benefit of the doubt, but would look back at the video from the meeting.
Security issues at the new station were also discussed. Phones that dial 911 directly are to be installed in parking lots and at the station, according to the plans. Cameras will also be installed, but Bernick said it’s impossible to stop all crime.
“Crime could happen, yes, correct,” Bernick said in response to questions from Town Council Chairman Bob Parisi. “I want to portray this as realistically as possible.”
“There should be more money put into safety,” Parisi said.
“It’s a done deal no matter what? It’s a done deal?” LeTourneau asked Bernick on the location of the station.
“Yes,” Bernick responded.
